Extruded flexible self-locking trim cover assembly retention clip and method for using same

ABSTRACT

A clip for retaining a trim cover assembly against a foam pad of a vehicle seat including a base having a hook end and a lock end. The base also includes a flange extending out therefrom. The hook end defines a hook, which secures the trim cover assembly to the clip. The lock end includes a lock and a lock hook. The foam pad includes a pair of inner foam pad walls that define a trench, through which the clip initially passes before contacting the foam pad. The clip is inserted into the foam pad so that the lock end passes completely through the foam pad to an underlying “B” surface. The lock hook is then rotated relative to the base until the lock hook engages the flange. The clip is firmly anchored within the foam pad by the lock end, which has a width greater than the trench.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The invention relates to vehicle seat assemblies. Moreparticularly, this invention is directed to a clip for retaining a trimcover assembly against a foam pad of a vehicle seat and a method forusing the same.

[0003] 2. Description of Related Art

[0004] Trim cover assemblies extend over vehicle seats to providepassenger comfort as well as aesthetic appeal. Passenger comfort isensured by a secure attachment of the trim cover assembly to a foam padlayered over a vehicle seat frame. Several attachment methods anddevices are known for effecting such attachment of the trim coverassembly to the foam pad. These attachment methods and devices includehog ring clips, mold-in hook fasteners, and injection-molded clips.

[0005] Hog ring clip methods require first embedding a wire into a foampad. Next, a C-shaped metal piece is wrapped around the wire embedded inthe foam pad and is threaded into an opening between a cord sewn on theinside of a trim cover. Finally, the C-shaped connector is compressed bya closure device to entrap the cord within the foam pad. Accuracy ofthis method depends in large part on the assembler operating the closuredevice.

[0006] Mold-in hook fasteners are generally suitable for attachingstraight-line trim cover assemblies. However, for attaching trim coverassemblies with non-linear edges, die-cutting materials must be used,adding further costs to the attachment process. Additionally, mold-inhook fasteners provide for undesired variation in attachment stabilitydue to the fact that proper attachment is not guaranteed each time anassembler attaches the fastener.

[0007] Injection-molded clips require considerable investment due to theintricate cavity design for the tooling. And once the tooling isavailable, the tools are difficult to modify due to the multi-cavitytool construction. More specifically, many or all of the tool partsrequire modification for each individual change. In addition,injection-molded clips require additional structural elements, such ashog ring clips, for anchoring in the foam pad.

[0008] There is a need for a cost-effective, accurate, and easy toassemble device for retaining trim cover assemblies to foam pads of avehicle seat frame.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided anextruded clip that retains a trim cover assembly against a foam pad of avehicle seat and includes a base defining a hook end and a lock end. Thebase also includes a flange extending out therefrom. A hook is fixedlysecured to the hook end for receiving a portion of the trim coverassembly thereagainst. A lock is pivotally secured to the lock end ofthe base. The lock includes a lock hook for engaging the flange of thebase when the lock is moved to a locking position after the clip isinserted into the foam pad of the vehicle seat.

[0010] According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided amethod of using a clip to retain a trim cover assembly against a foampad of a vehicle seat. The method involves providing a trim coverassembly and securing the trim cover assembly to a clip. The clip isthen inserted through a provided foam pad. Once through the foam pad,the clip is locked to prevent the clip from pulling out of the foam pad.Finally, the trim cover assembly is pulled taut over the foam pad.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] Advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciatedas the same becomes better understood by reference to the followingdetailed description when considered in connection with the accompanyingdrawings wherein:

[0012]FIG. 1 is a side view of a clip according to the presentinvention;

[0013]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the clip with a trim coverassembly secured to the clip;

[0014]FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional, side view of a seat cushion showingthe clip and the trim cover assembly positioned above a foam pad;

[0015]FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional, side view of a seat cushion showingthe clip and the trim cover assembly inserted into the foam pad; and

[0016]FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional side view showing the clip and thetrim cover assembly inserted into the foam pad, with the clip shown inthe locked position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0017] Referring to FIG. 1, an extruded clip, generally indicated at 10,includes a base 12 that defines a hook end, generally shown at 14, and alock end, generally shown at 16. The base 12 also includes a flange 18extending therefrom. The hook end 14 has a generally C-shaped hook 20and a retention arm 21 formed thereon. Although a hook 20 is shown, itis contemplated that the hook end 14 may have a structure formed thereonof various shapes so long as the chosen shape provides a similarsecuring function.

[0018] The lock end 16 includes a lock 22 pivotally secured to the base12. The lock end includes a bottom wall 23 defining a length L and adepth D wherein the length L is substantially larger than the depth D.The lock end 16 further includes a lock hook 24 formed thereon. Theflange 18 receives the lock hook 24 when the clip 10 is rotated from anunlocked position, as shown in FIGS. 1-4, to a locked position, as shownin FIG. 5.

[0019] The clip 10 is preferably formed by extrusion tooling. Extrusiontooling allows numerous clips 10 of varying sizes to be manufacturedquickly and inexpensively. As a result, the same tooling can be used toform clips 10 for use with different trim cover assemblies as well aswith foam pads of varying dimensions.

[0020] In operation and referring to FIG. 2, a trim cover assembly,generally shown at 26, is secured to the clip 10. The trim coverassembly 26 includes a trim cover 28 and a trim cover attachment strip30 secured to the trim cover 28. The trim cover 28 is typically madefrom cloth fabric, leather, vinyl, or a similar material. The hook 20 onthe hook end 14 of the clip 10 receives the trim cover attachment strip30 and the retention arm 21 secures the trim cover assembly 26 at thehook end 14 of the clip 10.

[0021] Referring to FIG. 3, a foam pad 32 is positioned over a vehicleseat frame (not shown). The foam pad 32 is pre-contoured orprefabricated from any of a number of well-known materials used ascushion materials, such as polyester or polyurethane. The foam pad 32also includes a pair of inner foam pad walls 34, 36, which define atrench 38 therebetween. The foam pad 32 further includes an uppercontact surface 40 and a lower contact surface 42. The upper 40 andlower 42 contact surfaces are the surfaces of the foam pad 32 that theclip 10 contacts upon entering or exiting the foam pad 32, as describedbelow.

[0022] In FIG. 4, the clip 10 and the trim cover assembly 26, which issecured to the clip 10 by the hook 20, are inserted into the foam pad 32at the upper contact surface 40. The clip 10 may be inserted into thefoam pad 32 manually or with the use of insertion tools. The clip 10 isinserted downwardly into the foam pad 32 until the entire bottom wall 23of the lock end 16 of the clip 10 passes completely through the lowercontact surface 42 of the foam pad 32 and against a “B” surface 44thereof. The lock end 16 is then rotated, or pivoted about a livinghinge 46, relative to the base 12 so that the lock hook 24 engages theflange 18, as shown in FIG. 5. During this rotation step, the bottomwall 23 moves from a position generally perpendicular to the lowercontact surface 42 to a position generally parallel to and abuttingagainst the lower contact surface 42. The movement of the lock 22 firmlyanchors the clip 10 within the foam pad 32 due to the fact that thelength L of the lock end 16 is now greater than the width of the trench38 at the upper contact surface 40. Thus, the clip 10 is not easilyremovable from the foam pad 32. After the clip 10 is in such a lockedposition, the trim cover 28 of the trim cover assembly 26 is pulled tautover the rest of the vehicle seat.

[0023] The method for using the clip 10 for retaining a trim coverassembly 26 against a foam pad 32 of a vehicle seat begins with securingthe trim cover assembly 26 to the clip 10. Specifically, the hook 20 onthe hook end 14 of the clip 10 receives the trim cover attachment strip30 and the retention arm 21 securably retains the trim cover assembly 26at the hook end 14 of the clip 10.

[0024] Next, the clip 10, with the trim cover assembly 26 secured to it,is inserted or pushed downwardly into the foam pad 32 at the uppercontact surface 40 until the entire bottom wall 23 of the lock end 16 ofthe clip 10 passes completely through the lower contact surface 42 ofthe foam pad 32 and against the “B” surface 44.

[0025] The third step is to lock the clip 10 by pivoting the lock end 16relative to the base 12 such that the lock hook 24 engages the flange18. Finally, the trim cover assembly 26 is pulled taut over the vehicleseat.

[0026] The invention has been described in an illustrative manner. It isto be understood that the terminology, which has been used, is intendedto be in the nature of words of description rather than of limitation.

[0027] Many modifications and variations of the invention are possiblein light of the above teachings. Therefore, within the scope of theappended claims, the invention may be practiced other than asspecifically described.

What is claimed is:
 1. A clip for retaining a trim cover assemblyagainst a foam pad of a vehicle seat, said clip comprising: a basedefining a hook end and a lock end, said base including a flangeextending out therefrom; a hook fixedly secured to said hook end forreceiving and retaining a portion of the trim cover thereagainst; and alock pivotally secured to said lock end of said base, said lockincluding a lock hook for engaging said flange of said base when saidlock is moved to a locking position after said clip is inserted into thefoam pad of the vehicle seat to prevent movement of said clip away fromthe foam pad.
 2. A clip as set forth in claim 1 including a retentionarm fixedly secured to said hook end, said retention arm retaining thetrim cover portion against said hook end.
 3. A clip as set forth inclaim 2 wherein said lock defines a bottom wall having a length and adepth such that said length is substantially greater than said depthsuch that upon movement of said lock to said locking position, saidlength of said bottom wall abuts the foam pad to retain said clip withinthe foam pad.
 4. A clip as set forth in claim 3 wherein said clip isformed by extrusion tooling.
 5. A method of using an extruded clip toretain a trim cover assembly against a foam pad of a vehicle seat, saidmethod comprising the steps of: providing a trim cover assembly;securing the trim cover assembly to the clip; providing a foam pad forthe trim cover assembly to cover; inserting the clip through the foampad; locking the clip thereby preventing the clip from pulling backthrough the foam pad; and pulling the trim cover assembly taut over thefoam pad.
 6. A method as set forth in claim 5 wherein the step ofinserting the clip through the foam pad is accomplished using insertiontools.
 7. A method as set forth in claim 5 wherein the step of insertingthe clip through the foam pad is accomplished manually.